All the Things I Love

It's February and what a better way to to celebrate the month of Love than by sharing all the things I love. 

We are almost done with our house, but thanks to supply chain issues, some things are not in yet like our couches and piano room light. I will still do a before and after post when we are completely done, but for now, here's a little sneak peek at our newly remolded house. It is so nice to have everything back where it goes and full access of our kitchen. 

I'm liking our carpet more. I really like the color and how soft and cushioned it is, and I'm getting used to the tracking and foot marks. Ignore the ugly brown couches that clearly do not match the rest of the house. When Tyler went to put these in I said we should put in lawn chairs instead because they would look better than these eye sores.  

Brynnli got to celebrate 100 days of 1st grade by dressing up like she was 100 years old. I had to work that day, but we are so grateful for Tyler's stay at home job so he can help get the kids ready on fun school days like this. 

Old woman one day, young and hip the next. 

We went to dinner at El Rancho and had to chuckle when we saw Caden and Brynnli waiting in the lobby reading the newspaper as we were waiting for our table. 

Got my hairs did. Does anyone else ever realize the only pictures of me in the blog book are selfies? 

Makayla went to Biz Town for school where she was "employed" at KLS News. She had to dress up and interview students. After working she got a paycheck and was able to spend some money at different businesses. What a cute way to introduce kids to real life. 

The Tennessee Titans didn't make it into the Super Bowl, but we still got together with Tyler's family to watch the game. I don't know who was playing, or who won, and I felt super old as I watched half time, but we had a great time. 

For Valentine's day this year we cooked dinner at home. Tyler made steaks and we had baked potatoes, rolls, and artichokes. 

We gave the kids (and our puppy) a little gift and treat and our kids gave us some cute things they made at school. 

For dessert we had so many things: Chocolate covered strawberries, cake, donuts, and hot chocolate bombs. 

I love my cute family and love the fun times we have together. 

Just two short days later it was Tyler's 39th Birthday! He had to work and there was a slight work drama situation brewing, so we didn't get to celebrate as big. I still made him his favorite lasagna dinner and chocolate chip cookies. 

We love Tyler so much and are so lucky to call him our daddy and best friend. There's no one better out there who works so hard, keeps us laughing, helps us look at the positive side, and helps us to think about things logically. We love you!

Even though Tyler's actual birthday didn't go as planned, we were ok with it because Terry and Craig offered to take the kids overnight so we could have a little weekend get away. We were so excited to have a little staycation that weekend. Well, just our luck things didn't turn out the way we hoped. I was working on that Friday when Tyler called me and said Brynnli came home from school and went right to sleep. Then he called me just an hour later and said that her temperature was 104. I said I would call the doctor and see if they could get us in because we thought she may have had an ear infection. 

The doctor was able to get us in right away, and she didn't have an ear infection. They tested for Covid and the Flu and I was kicking myself for not thinking it was probably the most obvious illness going around right now. As we were waiting for results, I was just hoping it wouldn't be covid because our kids would all have to be quarantined for 5 days, but either way our stay-cation plans were cancelled, and Tyler and I were so disappointed. Test results came back positive for flu. The doctor told us it would be a rough week.

The flu wiped her out. She slept most of the day and was so tired and lethargic for a few days. Then as it usually happens, I got sick and Makayla got sick. Luckily we were the only ones and Makayla and I were not as sick as Brynnli, but it was not fun. You know the funny thing? I drove past their pediatrician's office back in December and thought to myself that we haven't been sick for a long time and that there was one positive thing about wearing masks last year. As soon as I thought it, I knew I jinxed myself.  Since then we have all been sick multiple times and been to the doctor twice now. I seriously think someone in our family has been sick for at least two months straight now. 

Even though Tyler and I didn't get to go on our stay cation, we tried to make the best of our weekend. Makayla and I went to the Utah Gymnastics meet. 

Bella went to the groomer and they put the cutest bows in her hair. 

We call her Santa Paws... get it?

Makayla is doing a duet with her friend Hanna. They are dancing to a song called Juicy Wiggle. They had a practice run and we got to see their dance. It is so cute and we are so excited to watch their competitions this year. 

Their first competition was at Thanksgiving Point. They did great and got 1st place in their division. They got a medal and a trophy and were pretty excited. 

We went to a Utah Women's Basketball game and Brynnli made it on the Jumbo Tran. 

Speaking of Brynnli... she cracks us up. She loves to wear Makayla's bra around the house and pose. 

Working from home is exhausting. 

Here's a close up...

Then I sent him the picture and told him, "You're so sexy". 

We have a weird relationship. 

Makayla Turns 11 Years Old!

 Makayla is 11 years old; can you believe it? We love this girl so much and are so proud of the amazing young woman she is becoming. We love a day (really, it's more like a few days) where we can celebrate our amazing, beautiful, talented, funny, smart, perfectionist, oldest daughter.

Makayla woke up bright and early, as she does every school day, and got ready. She got to open her new outfit to wear to school that day. 

We had our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then she was off to school. 

When she got home from school the painters were at our house finishing staining the cabinets, and the smell was pretty strong, so we ran a few errands and then came home so Makayla could open the rest of her presents. 

She got a new hover board, which she was so surprised and excited for. 

She also got some more new clothes and pajamas. It is so fun to see how she gravitates more toward clothes now, but it does make me sad that her days of playing dolls and family are over. 

That night was Makayla's friend party. She invited Avery, Chloe, Lillie, and Layla from school. We had pizza for dinner then headed to Color Me Mine where all the girls got to pick out a ceramic piece to paint. 

The girls had so much fun paining and we had fun listening to them talk about school, teachers, and their friends. 

Makayla quickly picked up the technique needed to ride the hover board and she was off. 

On the Sunday after her birthday we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse where Makayla got to sit on the saddle while everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She said it was really embarrassing, but I think she secretly loved it. 

The following week was her family party. 

My favorite part of the party was that Makayla created a Kahoot game with questions all about her, like her favorite things and her dislikes. We had everyone play the game on their phones. After each question it would post who was in the lead and everyone was laughing and getting louder and louder. The score board leader would change but in the end it was Brynnli who won 1st place (I think sharing a room with Makayla may have given her an unfair advantage), Colton won 2nd place and Carson won 3rd place. 

Then we opened presents. Makayla got a lot of clothes, art projects, and money. 

We sang happy birthday and she blew out the candles on her cupcake. 

Then somehow (as family parties often do) it turned into a talent show... well I should say it turned into the Brynnli show, with a few other guest appearances by the other kids. Brynnli read Toad on the Road, did her dance, and sang "Run, Run, Run" with her ukulele. 

We had a great few days celebrating Makayla!

But I do have to wonder, where did these last 11 years go? They went by so fast. I vividly remember rocking her to sleep every night and singing "Never grow up". I remember how Makayla was so attached to her blankie and always had a corner of the blanket in her mouth as she fell asleep. I remember her dancing and singing around the house, I remember her playing school with Caden where she was the strict teacher, and he was always the student. I remember her first day of Kindergarten and how she walked so confidently into school. I remember her working so hard to master her back handspring for cheer. I remember her sitting on the couch reading Harry Potter for hours at a time and then begging me to go the store to buy her the next book in the series. I remember her in the kitchen making and decorating custom cupcakes to take to Hanna Land. I remember the two of us sneaking away from the rest of the family to go to Thirst for a drink and beginets and laughing and talking the whole way. I remember the joys of watching her learn something new. I remember the heartache watching as she had to work so hard to overcome a trial, and I remember being so proud as she conquered every challenge life has brought her. Makayla is resilient, strong, and determined. Her struggles will become her greatest quality. She is such an amazing, kind, sweet girl, and we feel so lucky to be her parents. 

Since it has been a few years, I thought this year I would bring back the interview questions. I think it will be so fun to look back on these: 

What are some things that you like or are popular today? Tic Tok, belly shirts and tank tops, Tom Holland, Olivia Rodrigo, the gritty dance move. 

What do you like most about yourself right now? "I just like how well I dance and how I'm really funny."

What do you think your future job will be? "I want to be a lawyer, but I can see myself doing something like a teacher".

What are you good at? "Dance, and I'm really smart, and I'm good at understanding when people need space."

Do you have a celebrity crush? "Yes, Tom Holland"

Who are your friends and what do you like about them? "Haylie and Chloe. I feel like I can tell them anything and they are really nice."

Where is your favorite place to eat? "Probably Culvers or Red Robin."

What makes you really annoyed? "When Brynnli or Caden is bugging me."

What makes you feel proud? "When I do something really good or when I get an award."

Which of your nicknames do you like the most and why? "Key Bugs because only dad calls me that."

What is your favorite subject in school? "Writing."

What do you wish you could do that mom and dad won't allow? "Eat in bed"

What is your favorite thing about Brynnli? "She can make you feel better with jokes and being funny."

What is your favorite thing about Caden? "Well since we're closer in age there are fun things to do with him like play basketball and stuff."

What is your favorite memory with Dad? "That one time when we went to a gymnastics meet"

What is your favorite memory with Mom? "Going to 'Gold over America'".